Hot Rod Boat Operator Died Jumping Wake of Cabin Cruiser

Kent County - The Maryland Natural Resources Police continue their investigation of a boat accident that claimed the life of a New York man.   On Friday, Sept. 14, at 6:12 p.m., NRP responded to the Primrose Point area of the Chester River for a report of a boat accident. Phillip S. Laepa, 50, of Congers, N.Y. was operating a 19-foot speedboat at speeds estimated over 50 mph, when he jumped the wake of a large cabin cruiser. Laepa’s vessel became airborne and then landed, bow first, into the river causing the vessel to break apart. He was transported to Chester River Hospital where he was pronounced dead.